Plans to transform the old Gallowflat School building into luxury flats are still going ahead, authorities have said.

South Lanarkshire Council and Historic Environment Scotland told the Reformer this week that plans to convert the listed building’s annexe and janitor’s house into eight flats remain a priority.

The agencies spoke out as locals raised concerns about the state of the building two years after planning permission was granted for an £800,000 project.

Susan Martin, who had campaigned for the building to become a community space, fears a key piece of Rutherglen history could be lost forever unless more care is taken to preserve it. Explaining that she saw inside the building recently when boards covering parts of the building fell off, Susan said: “I looked inside and there was nothing done, it was just stripped bare.

“The developer promoted so much that they would restore it and keep the floors and all that and obviously they haven’t, they have stripped it bare.

“I’m worried it will deteriorate so much they will have to knock it down. ”

The Reformer understands the owner of Gallowflat School, Mr Shafi, has stripped the interior because of water damage.

However, we believe he has obtained a building warrant to redevelop the janitor’s building and has appointed a contractor to do the work required.

Work to secure funding for the school itself is ongoing as is work to obtain a building warrant for the larger building.

A spokesman for Historic Environment Scotland said: “According to our records, listed building consent was given to turn the Gallowflat Annex into flats in 2015. That consent remains valid and we continue to support that proposal.

“Any decision regarding enforcement at the site has to be taken by South Lanarkshire Council’s planning department. We understand that South Lanarkshire’s building control officer is intending to carry out an inspection.”

The Gallowflat School building has lain empty for 19 years after Stonelaw High School – the amalgamation of Gallowflat Junior Secondary and Rutherglen Academy – moved to new premises on Calderwood Road.